Processions in the Royal Cremation Ceremony
The Nation summarises for our readers details of the Royal Cremation of our beloved monarch, HM the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, that will commence next week. (Free download for your own manual)
In the Royal Cremation Ceremony for the royal remains of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the procession of honour called Rew Khabuan or Procession in Formation will take place over three days. It has been arranged into six processions with the involvement of 5,613 people clad in colourful traditional uniforms.
October 26: The Royal Cremation Day
Three processions are arranged:
• First procession: The Royal Urn is transferred upon the Palanquin with Three Poles – or Phra Yannamas Sam Lam Khan – from Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace to the Great Victory Chariot or Phra Maha Phichai Ratcharot in front of the Elevated Royal Pavilion on the eastern side of Wat Phra Chetuphon or Wat Pho.
Start: 7am
Distance: 817 metres
Duration: 30 minutes
Troops: 965 in number
• Second procession: The Royal Urn is placed upon the Great Victory Chariot by Naga Conveyor or Kroen Bandai Nak and proceeds to the Royal Crematorium at Sanam Luang.
Distance: 890 metres
Duration: 2 hours
Troops: 2,406 in number
• Third procession: The Royal Urn is transferred upon the Royal Gun-carriage, or Rajarot Puen Yai, circumambulating three rounds counter-clockwise around the Royal Crematorium before taking the Royal Urn up into the funeral pyre or Phra Chittakathan.
Distance: Each round covers a length of 260 metres
Duration: 30 minutes
Troops: 781 in number
October 27: Collection of the Royal Relics and the Royal Ashes
One procession is arranged:
• Fourth procession: The Royal Reliquary Urn containing the Royal Relics is transferred upon the Royal Palanquin with Four Poles, or Rajendrayan Busabok Palanquin, from the Royal Crematorium to Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall.
The Royal Ashes in the cone-shaped container upon Small Royal Palanquin with Four Poles or Rajendrayan Noi is transferred to Phra Sri Rattana Chedi in the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Start: 8am
Distance: 1,074 metres
Duration: 30 minutes
Troops: 834 in number
October 29: Enshrining the Royal Relics in the Heavenly Abode, Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall
One procession is arranged:
• Fifth procession: The Royal Reliquary Urn containing the Royal Relics is transferred upon the Royal Palanquin with Four Poles from Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall to be enshrined in the Heavenly Abode in Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall.
Start: 10.30am
Distance: 63 metres
Duration: 10 minutes
Troops: 550 in number
October 29: Enshrining the Royal Ashes in Two Temples
One procession is arranged:
• Sixth procession: The Royal Ashes are transferred from Phra Sri Rattana Chedi in the Temple of the Emerald Buddha on a royal car to be enshrined at two temples, namely Wat Rajabopidh and Wat Bovoranives.
Start: 5.30pm
Cavalry troops: 77 in number
Source: www.kingrama9.net